Rumours that Samsung would unveil either a 4.99-inch 1080p Super AMOLED display or even the Galaxy S IV at CES 2013 did not pan out. But a product roadmap on display at CES 2013 has confirmed that the display in question is coming. Spotted by AnandTech, it shows the evolution of displays over the last couple of years. It culminates with the aforementioned 4.99-inch FHD display with a 440 PPI.

Samsung boasts that this new display will have a low power mode and significant power savings (up to 47% with that new mode) over current generation displays.

The roadmap also shows a launch scheduled for Q1 2013. And which device has been rumoured to sport a 5-inch Full HD display for a while now? None other than the Samsung Galaxy S IV.

Could Samsung unveil its new display at MWC 2013 with the Galaxy S IV to have its own launch event afterwards (perhaps with Samsung’s new 8-core Exynos 5 Octa SoC in tow as well)?

Samsung today showed off its OLED Youm flexible displays at its second CES keynote. Brian Berkeley, Samsung Electronics senior vice president of their display lab, took to the stage to talk about the company’s Youm technology which allows displays to be able to be bent, rolled and even folded. Underlying how far this technology still has to go before we see it in our devices, there was more talk of concepts and the promise of what flexible displays can offer than actual devices.

Samsung did show off a smartphone prototype with a 5-inch display that wrapped around the sides. The idea is that short messages (like an SMS) and notifications could be displayed on the side. Nokia also presented a similar concept, the Nokia GEM, last year.

Credit: CNET

Other screens were on display, further emphasizing the promise of this technology:

Credit: CNET

Samsung has been working on flexible displays for at least a couple of years now. Samsung introduced the Youm brand name last year. Back in December 2011, it released a video showing its vision for the technology:

We may have to be patient a while longer but flexible displays do look to be on their way to a variety of devices.

As expected, ZTE today unveiled the ZTE Grand S, the the flagship handset in its Grand Series product line. At 6.9 millimeters, ZTE bills it as “the world’s thinnest within 5 inch FHD quad-core smartphones.”

“The ZTE Grand S gives our customers the latest in technology, functionality and style. We understand that today’s consumers call for advanced features and state-of-the-art multimedia options in their handsets, and the ZTE Grand S confidently addresses those demands,” said Mr. Kan Yulun, Corporate Vice President of ZTE Corporation and CTO of the ZTE Mobile Device Division.

ZTE Grand S specifications:

Processor: 1.7GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro

Operating system: Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Cellular connectivity: LTE

Display: 5-inch Full HD (1920×1080)

Input: Touchscreen

Memory: 2GB RAM

Storage: 16GB onboard and microSD cards

Rear-facing camera: 13MP AF with flash and 1080p video capture

Front-facing camera: 2MP FF with 1080p video capture

Dimensions / weight: 142 x 69 x 6.9 millimeters

The ZTE Grand S is in fact the company’s second 5-inch FHD smartphone. It announced the ZTE Nubia Z5 just after Christmas. It is slightly thicker than the Grand S and does not come with LTE. Like the Grand S, it is currently set to be offered only in China.

The ZTE Grand S will go on sale in China later this quarter. Information about pricing and availability in other markets was not provided.

TCL Communication, the company behind Alcatel’s One Touch branded smartphones, yesterday unveiled the One Touch Idol Ultra, billed as the “world’s slimmest smartphone.” A mere 6.45 millimeters thick, it promises that “performance is not compromised.” It comes with a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, a 4.7-inch AMOLED display, an 8MP rear camera capable of capturing 1080p video and runs Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean.

If weight is more your thing, Alcatel also announced the One Touch Idol which may not be as thin but is billed as “the lightest smartphone in its category” at 110 grams. It comes with a dual-core processor, a 4.7-inch IPS display, 8MP camera and 2MP front camera

Alongside the Android-powered Ascend D2 and Ascend Mate, Huawei today launched its first Windows Phone 8 smartphone, the Huawei Ascend W1. As expected, it is an entry-level device designed to be easy on the pocketbook.

“Inspired and powered by people, the Ascend W1 is a combination of Huawei’s user-centric design philosophy and Windows Phone 8 software, bringing consumers a truly compelling alternative.” said Richard Yu, CEO, Huawei Consumer Business Group. “The addition of the Ascend W1 to our smartphone portfolio gives consumers access to an even wider range of Huawei smartphones. At a price that makes sense to consumers, Ascend W1 underscores our commitment to put smartphones within reach of every consumer, no matter who you are or what you want from your phone.”

Huawei Ascend W1 specifications:

Processor: 1.2GHz dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 MSM8230

Operating system: Microsoft Windows Phone 8

Cellular connectivity: UMTS/GSM

Other connectivity: 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1

Display: 4-inch WVGA (800×480) IPS LCD

Input: Touchscreen

Memory: 512MB RAM

Storage: 4GB onboard and microSD cards up to 32GB

Rear-facing camera: 5MP AF with flash LED

Front-facing camera: 0.3MP

Connectors: 3.5mm audio jack

Battery: 1,950mAh

Dimensions / weight: 124.5 x 63.5 x 10.15 millimeters / 130 grams

Colours: Blue, red, black, white

The Huawei Ascend W1 will first launch in China and Russia starting in January 2013. Other markets including the U.S. (and Canada?) will follow later. Pricing information was not announced.

Huawei yesterday unveiled two new smartphones, the 6.1-inch Ascend Mate ‘phablet’ and the 5-inch Full HD (1920×1080) Ascend D2 which looks small next to its larger sibling. Huawei bills the Ascend Mate as “the smartphone with the largest screen in the world” and describes the Ascend D2 as its latest “hero product in Huawei’s Ascend series of smartphones.”

The Huawei Ascend D2 will launch in China later this month and in Japan “in the future.” The Huawei Ascend Mate is scheduled to go on sale in China in February 2013. There is no word yet on whether either will be available later in other markets.

Qualcomm today unveiled two new Snapdragon families of processors along with a new numbering convention for its mobile processors. Sitting at the top of the Snapdragon lineup will be the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 family. Below it will be the Snapdragon 600, Snapdragon 400 and Snapdragon 200 families.

“With the overwhelming success of our previous Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms, our mobile processors have emerged as the platform of choice for high-end mobile devices,” said Steve Mollenkopf, president and chief operating officer of Qualcomm. “With more than 50 design wins already secured with the first products of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 and 800 processors, we are advancing our vision and setting the standard for excellence in mobile computing.”

The Snapdragon 800 will target premium mobile and computing devices. Using the 28nm High Performance for mobile (HPm) technology, it will deliver performance up to 75 percent better than Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processors while using less power. Other characteristics will include:

Individual core speeds to reach up to 2.3GHz

New Adreno 330 GPU to offer more than twice the performance of the Adreno 320 GPU

Integrated 4G LTE modem offering data rates up to 150Mbps

Integrated support for 802.11 ac Wi-Fi

Support for USB 3.0, Bluetooth and FM

Capture, playback and display in UltraHD video (with four times 1080p pixel density)

Support for display resolution as high as 2560 by 2048 pixels

Miracast 1080p HD support

The new Snapdragon 600 series will be geared towards high-end mobile devices. It will deliver performance 40 percent better than the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor while using less power. It will use a new Krait 300 quad-core processor running as high as 1.9GHz and an enhanced Adreno 320 GPU.

Both the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 and Snapdragon 600 processors are currently sampling. The former should hit devices by mid-year while the former will land on devices by the second quarter.

As widely predicted by rumours, Sony today unveiled its next flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z.

“With Xperia Z, we are bringing over half a century of innovation in TV, imaging, music, film and gaming to create a superphone experience that truly stands out,” said Kuni Suzuki, President and CEO, at Sony Mobile Communications. “With great specifications, Sony’s media applications, One-touch functions and outstanding battery life, Xperia Z is well positioned for leadership in the smartphone market. By putting smartphones at the heart of our strategy, Sony is enabling people to create, enjoy and share content and experiences like never before.”

Sony Xperia Z specifications:

Processor: 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro (MSM8064)

Operating system: Google Android 4.1 Jelly Bean

Cellular connectivity: LTE/HSPA+/EDGE/GPRS

Other connectivity: A-GPS/GLONASS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, DLNA

Display: 5-inch Full HD (1920×1080) with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2

Input: Capacitive touchscreen

Memory: 2GB RAM

Storage: 16GB onboard and microSD cards up to 32GB

Rear-facing camera: 13MP with Exmor RS sensor and HD video capture

Front-facing camera: 2.2MP camera with HD video capture

Connectors: 3.5mm audio jack, micro-USB 2.0 port

Battery: 2,330mAh

Dimensions / weight: 139 x 71 x 7.9 millimeters / 146 grams

Colours: Black, white and purple

Other: Dust and water resistant (IP55 & IP57)

Sony also unveiled the Xperia ZL, a very similar device intended for a number of select markets, including Canada. It will share many characteristics with the Xperia Z but will be slightly smaller.

Acer today unveiled a new entry level tablet aimed at new users, “families opting for a 2nd tablet for their children.” As you would expect from a tablet that will be among the cheapest when it launches, the Acer Iconia B1-A71 (a name that just rolls off the tongue) will not sport impressive specifications. But it may find a niche among those looking for such a device.

The Iconia B1 is an affordable entry level device to the wide family of Acer products and is designed for the everyday usage of Modern Day Explorers – in this case young explorers or busy mobile explorers. The Iconia B1 is, like its Acer family products, a device which provides the most premium experience at its price point.

Acer Iconia B1-A71 specifications:

Processor: 1.2GHz dual-core Mediatek MTK 8317T

Operating system: Google Android Jelly Bean

Cellular connectivity: None

Other connectivity: GPS, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0

Display: 7-inch WSVGA (1024×600)

Input: Multitouch capacitive touchscreen

Memory: 512MB RAM

Storage: 8GB onboard and microSD cards up to 32GB

Rear-facing camera: None

Front-facing camera: 0.3MP

Connectors: 3.5mm audio jack, micro-USB 2.0 port

Battery: 2,710mAh

Dimensions / weight: 197.4 x 128.5 x 11.3 millimeters / 320 grams

Acer did not provide specific availability details but indicated that it will sell for less than US$150 when it launches.

Posted by Jerome SkalnikComments Off on Huawei Ascend D2 shows up on CES 2013 billboard

Jan062013

Huawei Consumer Business Group CEO Yu Chengdong already confirmed last month that his company would announce its latest flagship smartphone, the Huawei Ascend D2, at CES 2013. Needless to say, Huawei revealed little about the device, saving those details for its upcoming press conference. But specifications and pictures have leaked several times since. Now an advertising billboard near the cabstand line of the Las Vegas Convention Center has revealed the device ahead of its official announcement tomorrow:

Rumours have suggested that the Huawei Ascend D2 will, like many other upcoming flagship devices, come with a 5-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display and a 1.5GHz quad-core Huawei K3V2 processor. We will bring you all the official details about it as soon as Huawei announces them.

Sony has promised something “extraordinary” for CES 2013. Rumours have repeatedly pointed to the company announcing its latest flagship, the Xperia Z (and its smaller Xperia ZL sibling). It now appears that we have confirmation of this announcement tomorrow as someone has snapped the picture below at Sony’s CES booth:

There were no details about the Sony Xperia Z to go along with the picture. It is expected to come with a 5-inch Full HD (1920×1080) display, a 1.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, and 13MP rear camera.

With only days before CES 2013 kicks off, the hype is in full gear. Sony has sent out an email promising that “The extraordinary is coming” is coming to the tradeshow.

Little is revealed in the teaser but the Xperia branding suggests that it will be smartphone related. With all the Sony Xperia Z (and Xperia ZL) rumours swirling, could it be anything but Sony’s new flagship smartphone?

Keep it locked on Gadgetorama over the next few days. We will bring you all the highlights from CES 2013, including Sony’s announcement.

Posted by Jerome SkalnikComments Off on LG to unveil Optimus G2 at CES 2013?

Jan032013

Despite LG having just announced its Optimus G flagship in late August, rumours about its successor, the LG Optimus G2, have been swirling since late November. Digitimes today indicates that LG will in fact unveil this device at CES 2013. It could well be that LG will announce it at the event and launch it sometime within the first half of the year as other rumours have suggested.

The report suggests that the LG Optimus 2 will come with a 5.5-inch Full HD (1920×1080) LCD display and a quad-core MSM8974 Snapdragon S4 Prime processor. This again lines up with earlier rumours.

Digitimes also expects other flagship devices to be announced at CES 2013. Huawei will unveil the Ascend D2 with a quad-core processor and a 13MP rear camera and the Ascend Mate with a 6.1-inch, 1080p Full HD display, 1.8GHz quad-core processor, and 4,000mAh battery. Sony Mobile will announce the Xperia Z, also with a quad-core processor and a 5-inch Full HD display.

The report adds that shipments of smartphones with 5-inch displays could reach 100 million units in 2013.

Posted by Jerome SkalnikComments Off on Corning Gorilla Glass 3 to be unveiled at CES 2013

Jan032013

Corning today announced that it will the next generation of its Gorilla Glass product at CES 2013. Gorilla Glass 3, billed as “a new glass composition with durability enhancements” should prove to be even tougher than its predecessor, Gorilla Glass 2. It will also unveil new fiber-based Optical Cables for device-to-device connectivity solutions, promising performances that goes beyond the limits of copper-based cables.

“This year at CES, Corning will demonstrate its industry leadership in specialty glass and fiber optic technologies with the introduction of two products designed to enhance and extend the capabilities of consumers’ favorite devices,” said Wendell P. Weeks, chairman, chief executive officer, and president. “These new innovations build on the increasingly important and continually evolving role of highly engineered glass technologies in delivering improved product performance and functionality through touch capabilities, protective cover glass, and device connectivity.”

Corning will hold hourly demonstrations to show off the toughness of its new Gorilla Glass 3.

There is no word yet on any devices that will come with Corning Gorilla Glass 3. Perhaps we’ll hear about such devices next week.

LG today posted a teaser video for its upcoming CES 2013 press conference. As is so often the case, little is revealed but what appears to be a smartphone can be glimpsed at one point. Could it be the rumoured Optimus G2?

If you’re not making your way down to CES 2013, LG will be livecasting its conference. It will be take place on January 7th at 0800 PT (1100 ET). The livecast will be available through Facebook and through LG’s newsroom.

LG is also offering up the LG CES mobile app to keep you updated on its latest CES 2013 announcements.